The use of cryogenic propellants for launch vehicles requires thermal insulation of the tanks, lines, and equipment to protect them from their environment. This equipment contains propellants at temperatures ranging from– 193°C to – 253°C, while the outside temperature on the launch pads reaches 30°C, and the walls of the launch vehicle heat up to 180°C when they go through the atmosphere. Air Liquide has developed a variety of innovations in terms of thermal insulation, with solutions that are efficient, ultra-lightweight, and resistant to mechanical stress and aerothermal fluxes: a closed-cell material, Dacron felt, multi-layer insulation, and honeycomb insulation.
Key figures
- 193 à – 253°C
Propellant temperatures
180°C
Yemperature of the outer panels when they cross the atmosphere
4
different types of insulation
Ultra-lightweight materials with low thermal conductivity
Closed cell material, used for the external insulation of Ariane's main cryogenic tanks and distribution lines thanks to its low density ǀ Density: 45 kg/m3 before thermoforming, thermal conductivity: 33 mW/m.K at room temperatureXXX, maximum temperature: 90°C in continuous use, 450°C in transient use
DacronTM felt, covered with an aluminum liner to insulate the Ariane launch vehicle's internal cavities ǀ Density: 6 kg/m3
Multi-layer insulation, used to protect the LHESS ǀ ~0.25 W/m² between 4 K and 300 K, for 40 layers of MLI (Multi-Layer Insulation)
Vacuum honeycomb bulkhead ǀ Thickness: 20 mm, high static and dynamic structural strength with excellent insulation properties, 100 W/m2 between 22 and 190 K
A few key benefits
Proven experience ǀ This isolation has been used on successive generations of Ariane launch vehicles
Bespoke services ǀ We can design and adapt insulation that is perfectly suited to your specific requirements, in particular the thermoforming and preparation of the insulation on demand and in accordance with quality standards for space applications.
Suitable for a variety of applications ǀ The diversity of solutions means it is suitable for a wide variety of applications
An on-site test zone ǀ A test zone for conducting mechanical and thermal tests on the insulation in a cryogenic environment
Solid references
The entire European launch vehicle program, Ariane
